Valença began as the fortified medieval settlement of Contrasta, meaning "the one opposite", facing Tui across the Rio Minho. After repeated conflict along the Portuguese-Galician frontier, Afonso III enlarged its defences and renamed the town Valença in 1262.
The old town still sits inside the fortress, separated from the modern town that spread outside the walls. For pilgrims, Valença is also the last town in Portugal before the Camino crosses the Minho into Galicia.
When you cross the Rio Minho from Valença to Tui, you enter Spain and the clocks move forward one hour.
Qué ver en Valença
Fortaleza
Valença's medieval walls were transformed during the 17th and 18th centuries into a vast bastioned fortress designed to resist artillery attacks from across the Spanish frontier. Its two fortified enclosures are surrounded by layers of bastions, ravelins, ditches and lower defensive walls extending for about 5 km.
Marco Miliário Romano
Beside the Igreja de Santo Estêvão stands a 1st-century Roman milestone erected during the reign of Emperor Claudius. It marked 42 Roman miles from Bracara Augusta and belonged to the road continuing through Tui towards Asturica Augusta, present-day Astorga. The stone was later reused as Valença's pelourinho (pillory).
Dónde alojarse en Valença
Hostel Bulwark
Valença Guesthouse
Albergue São Teotónio
